AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn women's basketball sophomore Alaina Rice has been declared immediately eligible by the NCAA and will compete for the Tigers in the 2020-21 season.
Rice, a 5-8 guard from Rockledge, Fla., transferred to Auburn from Florida A&M during the offseason. As a freshman for the Rattlers in 2019-20, Rice was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's Rookie of the Year as she averaged 10.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. She played in all 27 games for FAMU, scoring in double-figures 17 times, including a season-best 22 points vs. Howard. Rice played her high school basketball at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
"Alaina is a combo guard with the length and athleticism that we covet to be successful in our system for the next three years," Auburn head coach Terri Williams-Flournoy said when Rice signed with the Tigers in June. "She has an attacking mentality and can create for herself and others from either guard spot.
"Alaina brings competitiveness and experience as she was the freshman of the year in her conference, and some of her best games came against Power 5 opponents. Defensively, she excels when harassing ball handlers and playing passing lanes, which is ideal for the style we employ."
Rice is one of 10 newcomers to the Auburn women's basketball roster that join five returning letterwinners from the 2019-20 season. Along with Baylor transfer Honesty Scott-Grayson and West Virginia transfer Jala Jordan – both of whom sat out last season – Rice's immediate eligibility gives the Tigers eight players with previous Division I playing experience.
The Tigers open the 2020-21 season Nov. 25; a full schedule will be announced in the coming days.
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